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Pride Blog Series Day 4 – Genta Sebastian

People ask because of the way I approached the issue of bullying gay, or perceived as gay, kids. They want to know why this book is so raw, even brutal, in its expose of a suicide contagion zone of my home state of Minnesota.

The simple reason is: Nine kids committed suicide in less than two years in the Anoka/Hennepin school district. Four of the nine self-identified as LGBTQ, or were perceived by their peers to be so, and were viciously bullied in schools and online.

There are other reasons, including but not limited to my own history, what my step-daughters went through in high school for being a lesbian’s children, and my anger at having to protect my granddaughter by not being seen at her school with my partner at the time – now my beloved wife – for fear of instigating the same kind of bullying her mother suffered before her.

My book is a fictionalization of events in Anoka/Hennepin County during 2008 and 2009. Many of the types of incidents I depict did happen to unfortunate victims during that time. Each new suicide was like the tolling of a bell. We were so focused on those nine, it was easy to ignore the ten times as many children who attempted to kill themselves. Just as many continued to suffer the cruel combination of bullying and the lack of protection from school staff. Sorrow and horror hung over not just the district, but the entire state of Minnesota.

Except, of course, for Michele Bachmann’s ilk. She and some of her most generous supporters worked to create a hostile environment for LGBTQ students in that district. A group calling themselves Parents Action League, an outgrowth of the ultra-conservative group Minnesota Family Council (which seems to be a smaller copy of the Family Research Council) helped place a policy colloquially called No Homo Promo, and when that was finally ended fourteen years later in 2009, followed up with the Neutrality policy.

Afraid for their jobs, confused by vague language, teachers and staff members were afraid to do anything to protect the students. This gave the bullies free reign, and they took full advantage.

Funerals were held with frightening regularity. Across the nation other students were choosing death over living in a hell on earth. I had already written two novels about children in rainbow families for middle-grade students, Riding the Rainbow and A Man’s Man, and each had elements of bullying. But what was happening within miles of my comfortable home demanded stronger action and reaction. That is why I pulled no punches, did not flinch from the agony of the victims, and used the same vulgar words hurled daily at students in schools everywhere.

Members of PAL claimed that by coming out the students brought the bullying on themselves, so they should stay in the closet. Any attempted formation of a Gay/Straight Alliance club on campus, it was warned, would bring on more suicides. They neatly turned the tables and judged the recognition of oneself as LGBTQ to be so depressing an experience it drives teens to suicide.

Years have passed since the nine died and the pain of friends and family continue to resonate in the community, except for state Senator Michele Bachmann, still fighting the threat of allowing LGBTQ students to live easy in their own skins, much less be proud.

Michele Bachmann is still turning the story around to suit her own conservative Christian agenda. As recently as two months ago, she declared that it is the LGBTQ community who are the bullies. No, really. Listen.

Buy a copy of The Boxer Rebellion and give it to a school teacher, librarian, or principal. Donate one to your local library, or request they purchase one. Up the rebels!

14 thoughts on “Pride Blog Series Day 4 – Genta Sebastian”

Thanks so much for this blog. I am an education major and have studied the trends of bullying. It is crazy I tell you. It is not just happening in the schools either. I look forward to reading more from you……Dutch

There’s nothing that upsets me more than children not being protected. I was apprehensive that my son still at school would get some flak about having a lesbian mother when that became general knowledge. He’s been asked a few questions by classmates, but no one has given him any kind of trouble. Here in NZ the next generation are doing us proud.

But then, we’re a very secular country. I have a feeling that’s a lot to do with it.

I’m so glad your son is not being harassed. That’s wonderful, and a testament to not only our country, but your community. The younger generation is receiving a much more inclusive view of society, and that can only benefit us all.

New Zealand is now on my must travel list. I’ve heard and seen so much that’s positive and beautiful from there lately.

I’m glad they didn’t give him trouble, it gives me hope to see popular opinion is changing. It will be a constant struggle, especially with bullying, but I am happy to see that there will be grounded thoughtful children to help even the odds.

The escalation of bullying by children is frightening enough. Having adults in power positions not only do nothing to prevent it but actually conspire to aid and abet is appalling. Hey Bachmann, if that’s what your religion teaches I sure as hell want nothing to do with it.

Seldom am I at a loss for words. Genta, you’ve shown us your heart, dedication and determination through your blog. My partner is “surprising” me with the books on the list I not-at-all-subtly gave her. Know that “The Boxer Rebellion” has been added tonight.